Emergency services were called to Mannamead Road, near to the Esso garage, at around 12.40pm on Thursday 23 October Credit- Google Maps
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24 Oct 2025
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24 Oct 2025
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GWR staff receiving the prestigious award © Jack Boskett
Following the highly successful reopening of the Dartmoor Line, Okehampton Station has been awarded the title of Small Station of the Year at the recently held 'Railway Oscars’. The station secured this accolade after prevailing over tough competition from numerous stations across the country at the esteemed National Rail Awards 2023.
Colleagues from GWR, who played a pivotal role in the reopening of the Exeter to Okehampton line in November 2021, were presented with the award at London's Grosvenor House Hotel.
Mel Harvey, the station manager for Mid-Devon, expressed: “Winning this award is testament to our amazing team who look after Okehampton, ensuring it looks just as good today as it did the day it reopened two years ago. In that time, it has become a focal point for our community, a transport hub with buses connecting to our services, and of course a thriving railway station linking Okehampton and West Devon with Exeter and beyond."
The Dartmoor Line was brought back into service in November 2021 with support from Network Rail, marking the return of a consistent year-round service for the first time in nearly half a century, as part of the government's £500 million commitment to 'Restore Your Railways.' Passenger numbers significantly surpassed expectations, with over 120,000 journeys recorded in the inaugural year, more than double the initial projections. Additionally, there were 40,000 extra journeys originating from Crediton.
As part of the reopening effort, GWR collaborated with Devon County Council and bus operators to offer seamless bus connections directly from Okehampton station to various destinations in Devon and Cornwall, with buses synchronised with rail services. The train operator also received commendation in the Outstanding Teamwork category for their collaborative efforts with the West Midlands Grand Railway Collaboration – Commonwealth Games Rail Travel initiative.
Back in January, West Devon Borough Council announced that it has been successful in a £13.4 million bid to develop a new railway station and integrated transport hub on the eastern edge of Okehampton for the highly-anticipated ‘Okehampton Parkway’.
The Government's Levelling Up Fund award is for a brand new, purpose built station and car park, which will be easily accessible from the nearby A30.
The station's platform will include a passenger lift with greater accessibility for all travellers as well as cycle facilities and electric vehicle charging points to promote active and green travel. These actions will help to meet the Council's climate change objectives to reduce carbon across the Borough by 2050.
At the time, West Devon Borough Council's Leader, Cllr Neil Jory, said: "This is a huge achievement for West Devon and we're absolutely delighted! It's fantastic news for Okehampton, and the Borough, providing an interchange from the A30 to Exeter and the strategic rail network. Okehampton has so much to offer and this transport hub, which builds on the success of the Dartmoor Line, will make travelling to the town even easier.”
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